Infrared Sauna: A Therapy that Heals
When you walk into an Infrared Sauna Room, you can bump into Gwyneth Paltrow, Lady Gaga, and Cindy Crawford, if you are lucky! Yes, these celebrities endorse this form of therapy and find it hugely comforting. We, at Bodhsara Wellness Center, can vouch for that!
This technique has been gaining popularity over the years on account of its benefits in soothing chronic aches and pains. In addition, people suffering from high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, and joint and muscular issues have reported significant wellness. Some studies have also reported help in managing kidney diseases. Athletes, who combat wear and tear of muscles find these sauna sessions hugely restorative. Finally, it has been proven to slow the ageing of the skin and is also a healthier version of a tanning room, for those who enjoy the heat of that room.
When did this practice begin?
Would you believe it if we told you that saunas, in one form or the other have been around for 10,000 years?! In cold European countries, we can find saunas that go back to Neolithic times: one such sauna has been found in Marden henge in Wiltshire.
They would be called ‘sweat lodges’ and used by roaming tribes who dug pits, put fires, and used the heat for comfort. As they refined, they evolved from those simple fire pits to enclosures made out of animal skins. Later, those tents were replaced by wooden walls and roofs.
The practise became more and more sophisticated but the purpose remained the same: cleansing, healing, relaxation, and holistic wellness.
How does an Infrared Sauna room work?
The room looks like a smaller version of a regular Sauna room. Once you are in, the light is turned on. The wavelength of this light, which is called infrared radiation (FIR), cannot really be seen by the human eye: it is an invisible form of electromagnetic energy
As you get comfortable, the body experiences this energy as radiant heat, which can penetrate up to 1 1/2 inches beneath the skin. It’s believed that this wavelength of light impacts the bonds between molecules in cells Trusted Source, and in turn, can provide the therapeutic effects supposedly linked to infrared saunas.
Does Infrared Sauna work?
Those who are unable to tolerate the high temperature of a regular sauna are often able to tolerate the infrared sauna and thus benefit from its use. Being able to benefit from the warmth and relaxation provided by the sauna, in turn, influences other chronic health conditions in a positive manner.
In short, I believe infrared saunas do work. That said, I would recommend the continuation of studies into infrared saunas to provide evidence for healthcare professionals to base their recommendations on patients.
In the war on chronic pain without the use of narcotics, the infrared heat approach is another tool in the arsenal to fight chronic pain and reduce dependence on medication. In combination with other approaches, this treatment can add to the quality of life, range of motion, reduced pain, and increased mobility. I would recommend this for some patients.
A heart-warming story from the Bodhsara Infrared Sauna Room
Nidhi (42) *, an I.T. professional who had a brief history of depression found her conditioning worsening with the Covid situation sweeping the world. The anti-depressants and sedatives that had worked for the past 5~ years were no longer helping her. She felt like she was slipping down a slide without anything to hold on to. It felt like a free fall into deeper depression. The medication had led to weight gain and irregular menstruation, and that added to her anxiety. She came to Bodhsara after a series of panic attacks left her miserable.
Over a cup of soothing chamomile tea, our therapist listened to her, took her history, and explained the philosophy of holistic healing. It was perfectly okay to complement her existing medication with our therapies. Our therapist suggested deep detoxification by using the infrared sauna. She was taken to the sauna room and made comfortable with the process. She began her therapy and within ten minutes, she experienced the profuse sweating that was helping her get rid of her toxins.
She said she could feel her mind calming down.
What happened the next day is what was very special: she called us to say, ‘A miracle happened!’
Yes, for the first time in months, she had felt hungry, and enjoyed a good meal. She could also sleep peacefully that night without taking any medication.
As she continued with her sessions, she found these benefits to be long-lasting. We guided her every step of the way and were so happy to note her progress.
Nidhi is a regular now and we feel blessed to have received an opportunity to have made her life better.
*Name changed
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